Talbina: A Barley Porridge Recipe

Barley is a whole grain that is similar but at the same time different from wheat.

In their raw state, barley grains are hard, and sometimes they are peeled to create pearl barley. Hulled barley is the name for it in its whole state that contains the bran and hull. Pearl barley is lacking the hull and bran, so is more refined. Bread can be made from the flour of ground barley.

Although there is a lot of information on the internet about various foods and their benefits or nutrient status, I thought to mention what I learned from people in the countryside of Syria when they were unable to go out from the countryside and had to live on barley.

During this time people were unable to leave the area they were in and no food or produce could be sent to them.

When prices of food became very high they turned to what was available and growing locally: barley.

This I know because I have met with women from that area who lived through that and told me their experiences.

They said how they did not have bread much of the time, and if they did it was a small amount and very expensive.

They also had no sugar and other types of foods were limited.

This was except for barley, which became their main food source, which they said was used sometimes grinding it up and making bread or boiling it.

They specifically mentioned to me some of the benefits of eating barley that they had noticed:

1. Weight reduction. Of course, there may have been other reasons such as a general lack of food, however, they all reported reductions in weight while eating barley.

2. Lowering blood pressure and sugar in the blood. This was also reported generally and was attributed to eating barley.

3. Increased fertility: a woman told me that she lost weight during the time she was forced to eat barley and became pregnant after not having children before this time. She now has three children.

4. Increased energy. The women said that despite a lack of food they felt an increase in energy when eating barley and were able to do more.

5. The fifth benefit is not something that they told me but I read on the internet that barely strengthens the immune system and increases friendly bacteria in the gut.

When they went back to their normal diet, their health problems seemed to return.

As one woman told me, a doctor told her “could you not be incarcerated again?” After she gained back all the weight she had lost during the situation.

Barley is said to be a healthy grain that contains B vitamins, which help strengthen the immune system while increasing energy and helping to reduce our feelings of stress. It also contains some iron, folate, calcium, and vitamin E as well as magnesium. B vitamins help to strengthen the immune system by feeding and supporting the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Thus strengthening the body as a whole.

Barley is also claimed to be good for heart health and the arteries.

It reduces bad cholesterol.

There are some claims it can reduce the likelihood of cancer, particularly breast cancer.

It is also full of different vitamins and minerals all beneficial for the body

There is a recommended recipe for people who lost a relative or loved one or who had things that concerned them. This recipe is said to do away with worries and affliction and the wife of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him used to make it for people who had lost a loved one. The recipe is used in the Middle East as well as in some Asian countries.

This food recipe is known as talbina and it is made of barley (usually flour) and milk or water.

It was cooked together and given to the person suffering some sort of loss or care and affliction.

Therefore, talbina or barley bread is a good choice for people suffering from depression or constant worries and stress.

Perhaps eating it for morning meal will hopefully give us energy throughout the day.

Ingredients:

Barley flour 2-3 spoonfuls

Water or milk 2 cups

honey, nuts, dried fruit (optional)

boil the milk to near boiling point and add the barley flour, stir on a low heat 10-15 minutes while adding the nuts and dried fruit (optional).

When it is ready you can simply pour it into bowls, serve it and eat it as you would porridge.